Variety of Hydrangea plant named ‘Horlau’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct bicoloured  Hydrangea  plant having dark foliage and a fresh fragrance.

Botanical classification: Hydrangea macrophylla hybrid.

Varietal denomination: ‘HORLAU’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant known by the varietal name ‘Horlau’. The new variety was discovered in 2005 as a naturally occurring whole plant mutation of ‘Weesenstein Bicolor’ in Dresden, Germany. ‘Horlau’ exhibits bicoloured flowers, a lacecap inflorescence and a leaf size similar to ‘Weesenstein Bicolor’, but differs in height and flower bud induction. The new variety was first asexually reproduced in 2005 via propagation by cuttings in Germany. The new variety has been trial and field tested in Germany and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations.

The following traits distinguish ‘Horlau’ as a new and distinct cultivar from other Hydrangea varieties known to the breeder:

-   -   1. Bicoloured in nature;     -   2. Strong stems;     -   3. Dark foliage;     -   4. Small leaves; and     -   5. Good root system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new variety, with the color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 is photograph of an entire plant of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth characteristics of the new cultivar. The plants were grown in 13 cm. pots in peat substrate at a pH of 6.0 and were 10 months past propagation when described. Measurements and color readings of the plants were taken in Dresden, Germany under natural light with a shadow present. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

PLANT

-   Time to initiate roots: About 15 days at 18° C. -   Time to develop roots: About 20 days at 18° C. -   Rooting habit: Strong and adventitious root system. -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant from a rooted cutting:     About 42 weeks in a 13 cm. container. -   Form: Symmetrical. -   Height (from media surface to top of foliage): 26.0 cm. -   Height (from media surface to top of flowers): 28.0 cm. -   Plant diameter: 45.0 cm. -   Vigor: Strong. -   Strength: No artificial support needed. -   Branching habit: Well-branched. -   Trunk:     -   -   Main trunk length.—3.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.8 cm.         -   Color.—199B.         -   Texture.—Woody.         -   Pubescence.—Absent.         -   Internode length.—2.0 cm. -   Lateral branches:     -   -   Length.—Young: 14.0 cm. Mature: 5.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—Young: 0.7 cm. Mature: 0.7 cm.         -   Internode length.—4.0 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Pubescence.—Absent.         -   Color.—Young. 143B. Mature: 199C. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite disposition.         -   Size of leaf.—Length: 11.0 cm. Width: 9.0 cm.         -   Shape of leaf (generally).—Young: Ovate. Mature:             Round-ovate.         -   Shape of apex.—Cuspidate.         -   Shape of base.—Obtuse.         -   Texture.—Shiny.         -   Aspect.—Undulate.         -   Margin type.—Serrate.         -   Pubescence.—None present.         -   Color.—Young leaves: Upper surface: 137A. Lower surface:             138A. Mature leaves: Upper surface: 139A. Lower surface:             143A.         -   Petiole.—Shape: Shape: U-shaped. Length: 2.0 cm. Diameter:             0.3 cm. Color: 143A.         -   Veins.—Venation type: Pinnate. Color: Upper surface: 143A.             Lower surface: 143C.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: July in Dresden, Germany. -   Flower habit: Early blooming after 10 weeks of forcing. -   Bud:     -   -   Stage of development when described.—At closed stage.         -   Shape of cluster.—Round.         -   Diameter of cluster.—4.0 cm.         -   Number of buds per cluster.—More than 50.         -   Shaped.—Round.         -   Length.—0.2 cm.         -   Width.—0.4 cm. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Shape.—Lacecap.         -   Length.—4.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—14.0 cm.         -   Average number of flowers per inflorescence.—8 sterile             flowers, more than 200 fertile flowers.         -   Average number of inflorescences per plant.—7.         -   Lastingness.—Fertile: Three weeks. Sterile: Four weeks. -   Petals:     -   -   Number per flower.—4 to 5.         -   Color.—Upper surface: 63D. Lower surface: 63D.         -   Shape.—Round.         -   Length.—0.3 cm.         -   Width.—0.15 cm.         -   Apex.—Pointy.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Tonality from a distance.—Mixed colour. -   Sepals:     -   -   Number per flower.—4 to 5.         -   Color.—143D.         -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Length.—0.1 cm.         -   Width.—0.1 cm.         -   Apex.—Pointy.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Fused.—Yes. -   Petaloids:     -   -   Quantity.—4-5.         -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Color.—Upper surface: Margin: 63D. Middle: 63B. Lower             surface: Margin: 63C. Middle: 65C. -   Pedicels.     -   -   Length.—Fertile: 0.2 cm. Sterile: 1.2 cm. -   Diameter.—Fertile: 0.1 cm. Sterile: 0.2 cm.     -   -   Color.—143C. -   Peduncles:     -   -   Length.—3.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.4 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—143B. -   Stamens:     -   -   Number per fertile flower.—7 to 9.         -   Filament.—Length: 0.2 cm. Color: 27D.         -   Anthers.—Shape: Round to elongated. Length: 0.1 cm. Color:             27C.         -   Pollen.—Color: 27C. Amount: Plentiful. -   Pistils:     -   -   Number.—1, divided into 3 parts.         -   Length.—0.1 cm.         -   Style.—Length: 0.1 cm. Color: 65D.         -   Stigma (divided into 3 parts).—Color: 63B. Diameter: 0.15             cm.         -   Ovaries (inferior).—Length: 0.3 cm. Width: 0.2 cm. Color:             1D. -   Fragrance: Fresh and “green”. -   Disease resistance: Tolerant to botrytis and powdery mildew. -   Temperature tolerance: Medium, not filly winterhardy flowers in     Germany. -   Drought tolerance: Medium. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Hydrangea plant substantially as shown and described herein. 